Wrapping and binding machine



March 10, 1953 A. CRANSTON ET AL WRAPPING AND BINDING MACHINE 7Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 22, 1945 March 1953 A. E. CRANSTON ETAL2,530,751

WRAPPING AND BINDING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 22, 1945INVgNTORS 41. BERT 150M420 lea/yawn 20ml. JAMEJ C 9411570 BY .4LBERT fYEL CQANJI'ON March 1953 A. E. cRANsToN, ETAL 2,630,751

' WRAPPING AND BINDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 8/61552115221. Qumran:

f {I'M IN HTMRNEVJ March 10, 1953 A. E. CRANSTON ETAL 2,530,751

WRAPPING AND BINDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 fllilllbllimlliIIIIHIHIIIHIWWIlImIIlIWP!!!mlllliiilltilillmflw! mus/v mes4L BERT 0w420 Cemvsran ROYAL JAMES C'Efl/VS TON 41 BERT 421. CkA/VJTONMarch 10,1953 A. E. CRANSTON ETAL WRAPPING AND BINDING momma 7Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Dec. 22, 1945 TJKS MM! TON POY/U.

Patented Mar. 10, 1953 2,630,751 WRAPPING AND BINDING MACHINE AlbertEdward Cranston,

and Albert Earl Gran Application December 22,

29 Claims.

This invention relates to bundle binding machines and it has referencemore particularly to machines of those types wherein a band layingmember travels about the bundle to be bound and as it travels, lays aband that is held at one end, under tension, about the bundle and placesa secondary end portion of the band in overlapped relationship with theheld end for their securement together.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a, bindingmachine that is equipped with a band laying means of the above statedcharacter adapted for the binding of bundles with metal band, wire, ropeor paper tape; which is of simplified construction; relativelyinexpensive, light in weight and easy to operate.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine having a bandlaying member of ring-like or annular form, within which the bundle maybe supported for binding and whereon a spool of the supply of bindingband, wire, rope or tape may be mounted and the band payed out undertension therefrom about the bundle as the band laying member rotates.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine havingband laying means of the rotary ring type, that travels in the samedirection for successive binding operations, and wherein provision ismade for automatically providing slack in the binding band supply thateliminates the necessity for back dragging of the band from the supplyfor applying the primary end portion to the holding means.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a machine that is sodesigned that inertial load on the band laying means is practicallyelimlnated at the start of each binding operation and therefore permitsthe machine to be started easily and speedily, and wherein the load onthe band reaches a maximum at the stopping position and thereforefacilitates easy and quick stopping of the machine.

It is also an object of the invention to provide novel and simplifiedmeans, in connection with the carrier. for obtaining and for regulatingthe tension on the applied band.

Yet another object of the invention is to eliminate the necessity forbundle clamping means by reason of the mode of application of the band.

Still further objects of the invention reside in means for effecting theautomatic stopping of the machine at the end of each band laying cycle.

Other objects of the invention are to be found in the details ofconstruction of the various parts ston, assignors, by mesne assignments,to Albert E.

Cranston, Sr., Oak Grove,

Royal James Cranston Oak Grove, 0reg.,

Oreg. 1945, Serial No. 636,612

of the machine, in their relationship, and in the mode of operation ofthe machine, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, we haveprovided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whereim- Fig. l isan elevation of the machine showing the same as seen from the front orbundle receiving side.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the machine, taken on line 2-2 in Fig.1.

Fig. 2a is a wiring diagram for the electrical equipment of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the annular members for driving and forcarrying the spool of band forming material and for laying the bandabout a bundle.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional detail taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 3,illustrating the band tensioning means.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show, diagrammatically, successive steps in the bandlaying operation.

Fig. 7a is a detail of the band gripper used in conjunction with theslack obtaining means.

Fig. 8 is a top view of the clip applying and band cutting devices, inthat position assumed at the start 01' a binding operation.

Fig. 9 is a top view of the same as actuated to finishing position forcutting the band and applying a holding clip.

Figs. 10 and 11 are sectional details of the device, illustrating theaction of the gripping jaw that holds the secondary end of the band forthe clip applying operation, the section being on line Ill-40 in Fig.13.

Fig. 12 is a view illustrating the travel of clips from the clip supplymagazine to the overlapped end portions or the band and the closing ofthe clip about the band ends.

Fig. 13 is an end elevation of the clip applying device as seen whenlooking at it in the direction of the arrow l3 in Fig. 8.

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are views showing successive steps in the bandcutting and securing operations.

Figs. 17 and 18 are enlarged details of the clip closing jaws of theclip applying device, shown in successive positions of closing the clip.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged perspective view showing an open clip and a. clipas applied about the overlapped ends of a band.

Fig. 20 is a detail of the band cutting means.

Briefly described, this machine is of that kind referred to as asemi-automatic machine, in that it operates to mechanically place a bandunder tension about a bundle and to place the opposite end portionsthereof in overlapped relationship so that they may be joined togetherby the application of a seal or clip to the overlapped portions, whilethe actual applying of the clip or seal is accomplished by means thatare manually actuated.

The mode of operation of this machine requires that the primary end" ofthe band be extended from the supply of binding material carried on theband laying ring, threaded over a guide sheave carried on the ring, andthe slack end manually placed in a gripper. Then, when the band layingring is set in motion, the slack is taken up and the band is drawn fromthe supply and is laid under tension about the bundle and a portionthereof, referred to as the secondary end of the band. is brought intooverlapped relationship with the primary end portion. Then a clip orseal applying device mounted on the machine, is manually actuated tofirst grip the secondary end to hold the band tight about the bundle,then to cut the band beyond the gripped portion so as to free the boundbundle from the band supply, then to apply a seal or clip about the saidoverlapped primary and secondary end portions, thus to secure the bandabout the bundle.

The machine is driven by an electric motor and each binding operation isstarted by depressing a foot pedal which closes the motor energizingcircuit. A trip member, carried on the band laying ring, actuates alimit switch to open the motor circuit upon completion of the bindingcycle, thus to automatically stop the machine in position for the startof the next binding operation.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- The moving and operating partsof the present machine are supported by a frame structure, constructedmainly of channel iron and angle iron members, and of a table-likecharacter comprising a horizontal and rectangular top frame If),supported at a suitable working height by its four corner legs ll theselegs being joined at their lower ends across the ends and sides of theframe, by horizontal beams i2. Preferably, but not necessarily, theframe structure is equipped with rollers, or casters, I3, to facilitatethe moving of the machine.

Extended across the table top and secured thereto, are spaced, parallelrails |4I4 between which a succession of conveyor rolls 15 are mountedas seen in Fig. 2, for the easy moving of packages thereon, into andfrom binding position on the table. Along one side of the line ofconveyor rolls, a package guide flange I6 is adjustably secured to thetop frame and at the other side of the line of rolls, at the receivingside of the machine, a vertical abutment plate i3 is mounted. The plateIt is alined with a vertical plate id of considerably larger size, asbest understood by reference to Fig. 2. The plates I8 and 19 are rigidlysecured on the table top and disposed in the same vertical plane, andhave adjacent vertical edges thereof spaced apart, thus to provide apassageway 20 between them, shown best in Fig. 2, for the passing of theband of a bundle, as will presently be understood.

In the use of the present machine, when a. bundle is to be bound, it ismanually advanced into position on the conveyor rollers l and placedagainst the plates I8 and i9, overlapping or across the open space 20between them; for example, it is located in the position of the packageindicated in dotted lines at 25 in Figs. 1 and 2.

Erected on the frame structure of the machine is an arch-like framemember 39 having vertical opposite leg portions, designated at 30' and30' in Fig. 1, extended through the top portion and to the base orbottom members of the frame and rigidly secured thereto to add rigidityto the structure. This arch transversely spans the roller conveyor onwhich the bundles are moved, as seen in Fig. l. The leg portions of thisarch are joined below the level of the table top by a downwardly formedcross beam 3 i.

Mounted rotatably within the frame formed by the arch member 30 andcross bar 3i, and transversely encircling the conveyor along which thebundles travel, are concentric rings 35 and 3B, of substantial and ofpractically the same diameter. Each or these rings has a cylindricallyformed body portion and an extending peripheral flange at one endthereof; the flanges, as observed in Figs. 2 and 4, being formed onadjacent ends of the cylindrical portions and are of equal outsidediameter.

The ring 35 is designated as the band laying ring, and, as best shown inFig. 2, is supported in its upright position, for rotation, by means ofa plurality of circumferentially grooved guide rollers 31 mounted atspaced intervals on the back side of the transverse yoke 30 and crossbeam 3|. Likewise, the ring 35, which is designated as the band supplyring, is rotatably supported by a plurality of grooved rollers 38 thatare mounted on the forward side of the yoke and cross beam. The conveyorrollers I5, together with guide flange I6 on one side and plates l8 andIS on the other side, thus form a bundle passage extending through therings 35 and 36.

It is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, that the ring 35 is adapted to berotatably driven by a pair of parallel belts 4040 which operate aboutthe cylindrical body portion of the ring and about a belt pulley wheel4| that is fixed on a drive shaft 42. Shaft 42, in turn, is driven by anelectric motor 44 operating through a suitable gear reduction mechanismthat is designated generally at 45. A belt tightening roller 46 iscarried by a lever arm 41 pivoted at 48 to a yoke leg as shown in Fig.1, and a spring 43 attached to the arm and frame provides the tensionthat maintains the belt 40 under proper tension. The motor 44 is aone-direction motor and is electrically energized by the closing of acircuit control switch 49. This switch is fixed to a base frame memberas in Fig. 2, and its electrical conneclons with the motor and source ofsupply of current are shown in Fig. 2a.

The motor 44 is automatically deenergized upon the completion of a bandlaying cycle of ring 35 by the actuation of a limit switch 50. This isfixed to a stationary member of the frame structure of the machine, asseen in Fig. 2, and it is electrically connected in the electricalsystem as shown in Fig. 2a. The actuation of the limit switch iseifected by a cam plate 5| that is fixed to the ring 35, as seen best inFig. 3.

In the present instance, we employ a foot pedal as a practical andconvenient means for closing the starting switch 49. This comprises alever 52 that extends substantially horizontally within the base portionof the frame and is pivotally attached, at its inner end, by means of abolt 52, to a support 53. At its outer end,

which extends forwardly of the machine, the lever has a downturnedportion 52a terminating in a horizontal foot pedal 52b. A bracket 55attached to the lever, extends upwardly and then laterally therefrom toa position in which the circuit closing arm 49' of switch 48, seen inFig. 2, will be engaged and moved from off to on position upondepression of the foot pedal. When actuating pressure is removed fromthe foot pedal 52b, the lever will be returned to its normal, liftedposition by a spring that is embodied in the switch mechanism or by aspring (not shown) mounted between the horizontal beam 12 and the lever.

The bundle binding material, whether it be metal band, wire, rope ortape. is a continuous strip supplied in spool form and designed to beslipped onto the ring 35 from the forward side of the machine. The stripis here shown in Figs. 2 and 4, as being wound on a cylindrical core 56of paper or fiber. The supply of binding material thereon is designatedat 51. For convenience of description, that portion of the supply ofbinding material that is extended from the spool to the bundle, isdesignated by reference char- Fig. 1, this is shown as being secured atits end in a gripper side of the bundle 25 at the outside of plate IB.

After the spool of binding material has been slipped onto the ring 36,it is held thereon by the application of an annular member Bl about thering and against the spool and securing the latter by applying keys 62through the ring as seen in Fig. 4.

It is also to be understood that the spool of material is held againstturning on the ring 36 in order that a desired tension may be maintainedon the band B as applied about a bundle, and this may be accomplished bysecuring the inner end of the supply 51 to the ring. or securing it tothe spool core and then securing the core to the ring. This might beaccomplished in various ways, for example, by extending the inner end ofthe supply of band through the spool core and hooking it in a hole inthe ring. The means for laying the band B about a bundie is carried bythe ring 35 and comprises a plate 65 that is welded or otherwise rigidlysecured to the inner edge of the ring flange. as seen in Figs. 3 and 4,to extend transversely of and closely across the adjacent portion ofring 36 to the forward side of the latter. At its forward end, the plate65 has an outwardly directed plate 16 fixed thereto and on this plate aflanged sheave wheel 11 is rotatably mounted on an axis that is parallelwith the ring axis.

Also fixed to the forward end portion of the plate 65, is an outwardlyand rearwardly directed arm 18, which at its end mounts a guide sheave19 thereon.

In threading the machine for use, the outer end band is drawn from thesupply on the wheel 36, passed over the wheels 19 and 11 as noted indescribed. be understood by reference to Fig. 5. Then, starting withthis extended end portion of the band B secured in a gripper adjacentthat side of the bundle, the rotation of the ring as indicated by thedirection arrows in Figs. 5, 6 and '1, will cause the band B to be drawnfrom the spool and laid about the bundle.

It will be understood, also, that to accomplish this, the band, aswrapped about the bundle, must be drawn from the supply spool carried onring 36.

The spool is held against rotation on the ring 36 and therefore itbecomes necessary that the ring 36 shall be permitted to turn relativeto the ring 35. Therefore, we have provided means for resisting theturning of the ring 36 relative to the ring 35 and in this way place theband under tension as it is wrapped about the bundle. The means forapplying this tension and for regulating it will now be explained.

Pivotally fulcrumed on the plate 65 by a pivot bolt 66, as shown in Fig.4, is a lever 61. One end of the lever has a hole 68 therein, and a pin69, fixed in the ring 35, extends therethrough and a coiled spring H isapplied about the pin between the ring and one end of the lever to urgethe forward end of the lever inwardly. This forward end of the levermounts a brake shoe I2 thereon. The shoe is located in an opening 13 inplate 65 and bears frictionally against the cylindrical body portion ofring 36. It will be understood that the friction between the shoe andring may be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing thepressure of the spring H against the lever 61, and that tension on bandB may be thus provided and regulated.

The gripper mechanism which is designed to receive and hold the primaryend of a band B during a binding operation, is best disclosed in Figs.13 to 16, wherein it is shown that a bracket is fixed to the outside ofplate IB adjacent its top edge and just slightly back of its verticaledge that bounds the passage 20 between plates IB and I9. Pivoted on thebracket, by means of a pivot stud 8|, is a gripping jaw 82 and this isurged to gripping position toward plate l8 by a spring 83 carried in thebracket and bearing against the jaw.

In threading the machine, preparatory to a bundle binding operation, theprimary end portion of the band B, after being extended from the spooland passed about the guide sheaves l9 and 11 as seen in Fig. 3, isprojected downwardly between the pivoted gripper jaw 82 and plate 18, asillustrated in Fig. 5. The jaw yields downwardly to an open position forreception of the band end but under pressure of spring 83 engages andtightly grips the band when it is pulled upwardly or is placed undertension. In this threading operation, the primary end portion of theband is extended downwardly beyond the jaw 82 a designated distance, asnoted in Fig. 14 in order to provide an end portion that may beoverlapped by the secondary end portion of the band as subsequently laidabout the bundle at the end of the binding cycle preparatory toreceiving the clip that secures the overlapped end portions together.

After the primary end portion of the band B has thus been applied to thegripping jaw 82, as shown in Fig. 5, the machine is set in motion, andthe ring 35, starting from the position in which it is indicated asbeing located in Fig. 5, rotates in a clockwise direction through onecomplete turn, passing through the positions shown in Figs. 6 and '7,and in so doing, it lays the band B, as payed out over the sheave wheel11, about the four sides of the bundle 25, under tension.

In laying the secondary end portion of the band along that side of thebundle at which the gripping jaw 82 is located, the band is laid acrossa second gripper member that is designated at smear 85, and which islocated at a predetermined distance below the gripper 82. Also, the bandB is laid across a shear bar 86 located slightly below the gripper 82and above gripper 85 and spaced. from the latter as shown. The parts 85and 86 are mounted on the plate It at positions best shown in Figs. 13to 16.

The gripper member 05 is in the form of a substantially fiat bar, which,as noted best in Figs. 10 and 11, is horizontally disposed and is formedat one end with a laterally offset hook portion 050. that normally liesin a recess 09 in the plate I8. Adjacent the hook portion, the bar 85 iscontained between two stationary jaw members 90-90 secured on plate I8toward and from which the hook portion 85a may be moved. The function ofthe two members 90 is to cooperate with the gripper hook 85a for thegripping of the secondary end portion of the band after it has been laidaround the bundle and brought to the posi tion of Fig. 14 at which itcrosses the hook forming portion of bar 85.

To effect the gripping of the secondary end portion of the band after ithas been placed in the position in which it is shown in Figs. 14 and 10,the bar 85 is shifted endwise from the position seen in Fig. 10, to thatof Fig. 11, and in this shifting movement, the offset hook portion 85arides up the cam surface 89' at the base of recess 89 (see Fig. 11)thereby causing the hook end to move outwardly toward the band and toengage therewith and then as the bar-still moves endwise, to hook overthe band and draw it edgewise against the jaws 90. There the gripperhook 85a and jaws 90-410 coact to hold that end portion of the bandoverlapped with the primary end portion during and after the bandcutting operation.

The means for shifting the gripper bar 85 as above stated and foractuating the band cutting member, are manually controlled and areassociated with and operated in conjunction with the clip applyingdevices which are shown best in Figs. 8 to 13, and will now bedescribed.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 8 and 9, it will be noted that atriangularly shaped head I is pivoted by a pivot pin IOI extendedbetween vertically spaced ears I02 that are secured on the outside ofplate I 8. The head I00 may be swung on its pivot from that position inwhich it is shown in Fig. 8, referred to as starting position, to theposition in which it is shown in Fig. 9. The means whereby the movementof the head is eflfccted, comprises a hand lever I that is pivoted inthe head by pivot bolt I00, and the lever may swing relative to thehead, through the limited angle that is indicated by the dotted arc I01in Fig. 9. However, if starting with the parts in the position of Fig.8, the movement of the hand lever I05 through the angle indicated by thearc II 0 of Fig. 9, will cause the head I03 to swing to the position ofFig. 9, without the hand lever moving relative to the head, or the headmoving relative to the handle and it is incident to this movement of thehead that the band gripper hook 05a of the bar 85 is caused to move andto engage with and hold the secondary end of the band, as in Fig. 11,and other devices are caused to cut it, as has been shown in Fig. 15,preparatory to application of the clip as shown in Fig. 16.

The operating connection between the lever I05 and head I00 and betweenthe lever and clip applying jaws, is illustrated best in Figs. 1'? and18, wherein it is shown that the inner end of the lever [05, as pivotedat I06, is connected at opposite sides of the pivot, by links I l2-'-II2, respectively, to the outer ends of a pair of coacting clip closingand clinching jaw levers II3-II3' that are mounted in the head I00 bypivot pins IM-IH'. The jaw levers have opposedly related jaws I I5I l5at their inner ends, spaced apart and designed to receive an openpreformed clip H6 between them from a clip magazine II'I, seen in Figs.8, 9 and 13, when the head is in the starting position of Fig. 8. Whensuch a clip is applied between the open jaws, as in Fig. 17, it operatesto retain the relative position of the lever to the head while thehandle is swung from starting position through the arc III) in Fig. 9.

The clips H8 are automatically fed into the open gripper jaws from themagazine II! that is mounted horizontally on a bracket I I7 secured tothe plate I8; this being shown in Fig. 13. The clips are arranged in themagazine in nested relationship, as shown in Fig. 12, and areautomatically advanced inwardly in accordance with their use, bypressure of a block "8 against the outer end of the pack of clips. Theblock is slidable in the magazine, and is pressed forwardly under thepull of a weight H9 that, as shown in Fig. 13, is suspended by a cordI20 that passes from the weight, forwardly along the magazine and over aguide sheave I2I near its inner end. The discharge end of the magazinehas a top opening through which the clips may be pushed, one at a time,directly into the open jaws of the clip applying device when in positionof Fig. 8.

It is shown in Fig. 2 that the foot pedal lever end of a horizontallydisposed lever I23 supported from a bracket I 23' that is fixed in thetop frame structure.

At its inner end, the lever I23 is connected by a link I24 with a feedrod I24 which extends upwardly through a guide I Ilg on bracket I I1(see Fig. 13) to the inner end of the clip magazine and in position toengage the end clip II 6 therein. With each depression of the foot pedal52, the lever I23 is pivotally actuated and the upper end of the feedrod I24 moves the clip that is loend of the magazine, upwardly for thisfeeding operation.

When the head I 00, with a clip applied to the jaws as shown in Fig. 17,moves into the position shown in Fig. 9, the open clip IIB will receivethe overlapped end portions of the band therein. The travel of the headis then stopped, and therefore the actuation of the hand lever thatfollows, through the arc I01 of Fig. 9, causes the jaws II5-II5' toclose the clip about the band ends as shown in Figs. 18 and 19. Thecorrugating effect on the clip, as shown in Fig. 19, insures againstslippage of the band ends in the clip and it is effected by the shapingof the jaws.

The forward end of the lever I25 is pivotally connected by a short linkI30 with a boss III on the bar 05. A roller I32 mounted on pivot pin I33fixed in the head at a distance spaced somewhat from the pin I26, isadapted to roll alon the outwardly arched edge of lever I25 as the headis swung about the pivot by the hand lever I and in passing therealong,as from the dotted line position, to the fu l line position in Fig. 11,will swing the forward end of the lever inwardly. as in Fig. 11, andthrough the link I30, will shift the jaw bar 85 endwise to cause thehook end 85a thereof to engage the secondary end of the band B in thegripping action previously described, which takes place prior to theband cuttin and clip applying operations.

When the head I00 is swung back to starting position, the bar 85 ismoved to its open or initial position by a spring pressed bolt I36 in aguide I31 fixed to plate I8, as seen in Fig. 11.

The band gripping action above described, takes place just prior to theoperation of cutting the secondary end portion of the band. The place ofcutting is such as to leave the end of the secondary portion overlappedwith that primary end portion that extends below the gripper 82, as hasbeen shown in Fig. 15. The band cutting is accomplished by means shownbest in Figs. 8, 9 and 14, which will now be described.

As was previously stated, when the secondary portion of the band is laidabout the bundle, it is drawn across the lower gripper jaw 85, the uppergripper 82 and the intermediate shear plate or bar 86, as clearly shownin Fig. 14.

It is shown in Figs. 8. 9 and that a complemental shearing lever I isassociated with the fixed shear bar 86. This lever form, as noted bestin Fig. 20, and is pivotally mounted by a pivot bolt I4I on a supportHi2 that is fixed to plate I8. On one arm of the bell crank lever is ashear plate I53 that is adapted to coact with the bar 86 to shear offthe band when placed between them.

The other arm of the bell crank lever has pivotal connection, at I45,with a short link I46 that, in turn, has a pin and slot, lost motionconnection indicated at I41, with the head I00. This lost motionconnection is such that the final swinging movement of the head to theposition of Fig. 9, causes the linkage to actuate the bell crank leverto cause the shearing of the secondary end portion of the band so thatthe overlapped end portions will then snap close together, as seen inFig. 15. When the hand lever I05 and head I00 are swung back to startingposition, the linkage causes the shearing jaw to be moved to its openposition, as shown in Fig. 8.

It will be explained here that, in view of the fact that the shearinglever I40 lies in or extends through the plane of the band as paid outfrom sheave 1 1 about the bundle, it is necessary that the secondary endportion of the band, as brought into place, be guided or carried overthis lever I40. This is accomplished by use of a metal guide strip I50,shown in Figs. 8 and 9, that is fastened to the outer end of the bellcrank lever and is inclined relative to the wrapping plane. When theshearing jaw is in its open position, this guide bar assumes theposition as noted in Fig. 8, and it there operates to guide the band asit slides therealong, over the cutter jaw, and after it has passed thisguide bar, it snaps across the gripper jaw 85, as in Fig. 10.

After the secondary end of the band has been cut, as previouslyexplained, and the band ends have assumed the close position of Fig. 15,and while both ends of the band are still securely held I00 is of bellcrank i the secondary end of i in the gripper jaws 82 and 05, the clipH5 is applied thereto and this is accomplished, as was previouslyexplained, by swinging the lever arm through the arc I01 inFig. 9.

The clips used are of the kind shown in Figs. 12 and 19, each comprisinga short metal strap I I6 with opposite end flanges I Ito and H612 bentlaterally to form a U-shaped clip, of a well known kind. The swinging ofthe head I00 from positions of Fig. 17 to that of Fig. 18, places theclip against the band, and the closing of the jaws clinches the endsIIBa-I lib about the band as in Fig. 19, forming a secure connection.

After a band has been applied about a bundle, the secondary end cut, andthe clip applied to the overlapped ends, and the head I00 and hand leverI05 restored to starting position, it is only necessary then to push thebundle forward and the band moves off of the edge of plate I8 into thepassage 20, thus to free the bundle for removal from the machine.

An important item of this invention, insofar as it concerns the rapidbinding of bundles, is the means for insuring a certain amount of slackin the band B to permit a re-threading of the primary end of the bandinto the gripper 82 without requiring any back dragging or turning ofthe mechanism which carries the band supply. This will now be explained.

It will be understood, by reference to Fig. '7, that as each bindingoperation is completed by the placing of the secondary end portion ofthe band B in overlapped relationship with the primary end portion andthe stopping of the band laying ring 35 in the position indicated inFig. '1, the band B will be drawn against the outside and over the upperend of an upwardly extending arm I60 that is fixed to or formed on theforward vertical edge of the plate I9. This arm is best shown in Figs. 1and 2.

It is the customary operating procedure that, as the band laying cycleends, the operator grasps the handle of the lever arm I05 in the lefthand, and with his right hand, he grasps that portion of the band whichextends downwardly from the arm I60 to the bundle. Then upon the cuttingof the band and the application of the clip as in Figs. 15 and 16, thisfree end of the band supply is disengaged from the arm I60 and thusslack enough in this end portion is provided that the free end, whichnow becomes the primary end of the next band to be applied, may be feddown between the gripper 82 and plate III to the position shown in Fig.14. Thus the threading is accomplished without any back dragging of bandor reverse turning of the band carrying ring.

To prevent loss of tension on that part of the band between the supplyspoo1 and the sheave 11 over which the band is payed out, we havemounted a spring pressed clutch jaw I15 on the plate to coact with thesheave and to engage the band thereon to prevent back slipping.

It has been found advantageous to apply the band sealing clip to theoverlapped ends of the band just prior to the stopping of the machine sothat the band will be under maximum tension at the time the clip isapplied. This is desirable because there is a possibility that after themachine has stopped, it may rebound slightly under the tension of theband.

It is desirable also that means he provided to hold the severed end ofthe band over the arm I00 until it is desired that the end be applied tothe gripper 82 for a binding operation. There- ;fore, we have provided aband gripper, as illustrated in Fig. 7a, on the upper end of arm I60.This gripper is in the nature of a latch bar I80 extended along arm I60and having its lower end pivotally fixed thereto as at I82. The upperend of the latch bar I80 terminates in a gripper head I83 that overliesand opposedly coacts with the laterally turned upper end of arm I80 togrip the band between them. The top edge of the head is beveled as atI85, and this edge lies in the wrapping plane so that as the band isdrawn over the upper end of arm I80 as the carrier moves to the finalposition, seen in Fig. '7, it engages the beveled edge I85 and pressesthe latch to one side. Then as the band is drawn to place across theupper end of the arm, the latch bar I80 snaps back to position over theband, as in Fig. 7a, and operates, when the band is cut, to hold thefree end on the arm I60 until manually pulled off. Thus it is not in theway and the operator always knows just where to reach for it.

It is desired to call attention to the fact that more than enough slackis provided in this primary end portion than is required for theoverlap. Therefore, after the slack primary end has been applied to thegripper 82, there is still slack in that end portion, as is apparentfrom the showing in Fig. 5. Therefore, when the machine starts awrapping or bindin operation, it is under no load, there is no inertiato overcome, and it can start easily and fast. Furthermore, at the endof each binding operation, the load is at its maximum, and when thelimit switch 50 is opened, the motor will almost instantly stop and nobrake is required for this purpose.

An additional advantage is obtained in the mode of binding in theelimination of any r quirement for clamps to hold the bundle in place.It is readily apparent that as soon as tension is placed on the band, aswill be understood by reference to Fig. 6, the bundle will beautomatically moved tightly against the plate I8 and held secure.

Assuming that the parts are so constructed and assembled as described,the operation of the machine, briefly described, is as follows:

The operator brings a package or box into position for binding by movingit along the conveyor rolls I5, placing the package within the wrappingplane; then the band, B, thread it downwardly between the gripper head82 and the plate I8 so that its end extends substantially to the lowergripper 85. hen he depresses the foot pedal 52!), thereby closing anelectric circuit which results in the energization of the electric motor44. The motor, operating through the reduction gearing 65 and pulleywheel 4|, drives the bolts 40 and rotates the ring 35 in the clockwisedirection indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5. As the ring 35 rotatesthrough one complete turn, it pays out the band B over sheave I1 andlays it about the box or package and brings th secondary end portions ofthe band into overlapped relationship with the primary end and also laysthe band across the upwardly and outwardly extending arm I60, to insureslack for the next threading operation, a shown in Fig. '7.

The machine is stopped automatically after one complete turn of ring 35by reason of the cam plate on the ring engaging the limit switch 50. Theoperator then grasps the hand lever I05 with the left hand and the bandB at a location between the bundle and the arm I in the other hand. Thenhe swings the lever he grasps the free end of through switch 49 to causeit to rotate with 12 I05 through the successive arcuate posiidonsindicated in Fig. 9, thus first effecting the gripping of the secondaryend portion of the band by gripper 85, then the cutting of the band, andfinally the application of the clip. He then swings the lever I05 backto starting position. The bundle is then free and is pushed forwardlythrough the machine and the free end of the band is disengaged from armI60 and is threaded again into the gripper 02 for the next operation.

In the event that wire is employed as the binding medium, then thejoining of primary and secondary end portions would be accomplished bythe use of the well known slotted twister gear mechanism, or a twistergear of that kind illustrated and described in the copending applicationby Albert E. Cranston, Sr, for Wire Binding Machines, Serial No.713.224, filed November 30. 1946.

If rope is employed, a suitable, form of clip; is applied by meanssimilar to that herein shown.

The general features of the present machine are suitable for theapplication of gummed tape. Also, for wrapping with band, wire or tape,it is only required that the limit switch be removed so that the ring 35will turn until stopped, and that the object being wrapped becontinuously advanced at a predetermined speed.

In view of the fact that the machine can, as it is here shown, useeither wire or band and that the general features are adapted to the useof tape, cord or rope, the term band as used in the claims will beunderstood to be any one of these possible materials.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a bundle binding machine, a bundle support, an annular carrierabout which a spool of binding material may be fitted and secured. meansmounting the carrier for axial rotation, a stationary gripper associatedwith the bundle support to which the outer end of the band may beextended from a mounted spool and held during a binding operation, aband laying device mounted to revolve about the bundle support andcoaxially of the said annular carrier and comprising an element adaptedto travel adjacent the periphery of the spool, in reeving contact withthe band as extended from the spool to said gripper to lay the bandabout a bundle located on said support, and means on the band layingdevice frictionally engaging said annular carrier the said device and toyieldingly resist that relative advance rotation that is caused by thedrawing oil of binding material from the spool.

2. In a bundle binding machine, a bundle support, a carrier upon which aspool of binding material may be fitted and secured, a gripperassociated with the bundle support to which the outer end of the band asextended from a mounted spool may be anchored for a binding operation, aband laying means mounted to revolve about the bundle support, andcomprising an arm adapted to engage the anchored band of bindingmaterial as extended from the spool to draw it from the spool and lay itabout the bundle as the said band laying means revolves, and means onsaid arm bearing frlctionally against the said carrier to cause thespool to be rotated with the laying means and to yieldlngly resist therelative advance movement that is caused by the drawing of cable fromthe spool in the binding operation.

3. A machine as in claim 2 wherein means is provided for adjusting thefrictional pressure of the last named means against said carrier tothereby adjust and determine the tension under which the band is laidabout the bundle.

4. In a bundle binding machine, a bundle support, a carrier about whicha spool of binding material may be fitted and secured, means mountingthe said carrier for axial rotation, a gripper adjacent the bundlesupport to which the outer end of the spooled band of binding materialmay be extended and held during a, binding operation, a band layingmeans mounted to revolve coaxially of and adjacent the carrier andincluding a plate fixed thereto and adapted to travel closely within thecarrier, :1, brake shoe on said plate in frictional contact with thecarrier to cause it to rotate with said band laying means, and meanssupported from said plate to engage with the band as extended from thspool to the gripper to cause the band to be drawn from the spool andlaid about a bundle on said support as the laying device is revolved,and brought into overlapped relationship with the end portion that isadjacent said gripper for their securement together.

5. In a bundle binding machine, a bundle support, a, carrier about whicha spool of binding material may be fitted and secured, means mountingthe said carrier for axial rotation, at gripper adjacent the bundlesupport to which the outer end of the spooled band of binding materialmay be extended and held during a binding operation, a band laying meansmounted to revolve coaxially f the carrier and adjacent thereto andincluding means in frictional contact with the carrier to cause it torotate with said strand laying means and to resist relative advancerotation, means for engaging with the band as extended from the spool tothe gripper to cause the band to be drawn from the spool and laid undertension about a bundle as the band laying device is revolved, andbrought into overlapped relationship with the end portion that isadjacent said gripper, means for joining the overlapped portions, andmeans for cutting the band adjacent the place of joining to free thebound bundle for removal from the machine.

6. In a bundle binding machine, a bundle support, an annular carrierabout which a spool of binding material may be fitted and secured, meansmounting the said carrier for axial rotation, a gripper adjacent thebundle support to which the outer end of the spooled band may beextended and held during a binding operation, a driving wheel coaxialand adjacent the annular carrier, braking means mounted on said wheel infrictional contact with the carrier to cause it to rotate with the wheeland relativ advance rotation to be yieldingly resisted, an arm extendedfrom the plate, and receiving means carried by said driving wheel forengaging the band as extended from the spool to cause it to be drawnfrom the spool and laid under tension about a supported bundle, andbrought into overlapped relationship with the gripped end portion fortheir securement together.

7. In a. bundle binding machine, a bundle support, an annular carrierabout which a spool of binding material may be fitted and secured, meansmounting the said carrier for axial rotation, a gripper adjacent thebundle support to which the outer end of the spooled band may beextended and held during a binding operation, a driving wheel coaxialand adjacent the annular carrier, a plate fixed to the wheel to travelclosely within the annular carrier, a. brak shoe on the plate infrictional contact with the carrier to cause it to rotate with the wheeland relative advance rotation to be yieldingly resisted, an arm extendedfrom the plate, and a wheel on the arm to engage with the band asextended from the spool to cause it to be reeved thereover and drawnfrom the spool and laid under tension about a supported bundle, andbrought into overlapped relationship with the gripped end portion fortheir securement together.

8. A machine as in claim 6 including also automatic means for stoppingthe belt driving wheel upon each complete rotation thereof.

9. In a bundle binding machine, an annular carrier about which a spoolof binding band may be fitted and secured, means mounting the carrierfor axial rotation, a bundle guideway and support passing through thecarrier, a, stationary gripper associated with the support to which theouter end of the spooled band may be extended and held during a bindingoperation, a band laying device comprising an annular member encirclingthe support adjacent and coaxial of the spool carrier, means on saidannular member to cause the carrier to rotate with the band layingdevice and to restrain it yieldingly against relative advance rotation,means carried by the band laying member over which the band may bereeved from the spool and laid under tension about a bundle on saidguideway and in overlapped relation with the gripped end portion, meansfor joining the overlapped portions, and a cutter adjacent the gripperfor cutting the band to release the bound bundle from the band supply.

10. In a bundle binding machine, a bundle sup port, a strand layingmeans mounted to revolve about said support, a guide sheave carried onsaid strand laying means, a gripper adjacent the bundle support, astrand of binding material reeved over said sheave and having an endextended to and held by said gripper during a binding operation, poweroperated means for revolving said strand laying means, means on saidstrand laying means for interrupting the flow of power after apredetermined angle of rotation of said strand laying means, and a brakecarried by said strand laying means to tension said strand and stop therotation of said strand laying means upon cessation of operation of saidpower operated means.

11. In a. bundle binding machine, a bundle support, a strand layingmeans mounted to revolve about said support, a carrier for a coiledsupply of strand mounted to revolve about said support, a strandgripping element adjacent said bundle support, a strand of bindingmaterial having an end extended to and held by said gripping clement,power operated means for revolving said strand laying means about asupported bundle, means operated by rotation of said strand laying meansthrough a predetermined angle for interrupting the flow of power to saidpower operated means, and means on said strand laying means adapted tofrictionally engage said strand supply carrier to cause said strand toact as a brake for said strand laying means upon interruption of theflow of power.

12. In a bundle binding machine, a bundle support, a strand laying meansmounted to revolve about said support, a strand gripping elementadjacent said support, a strand of binding material having an endextended to and held by said gripping element, means to exert a drivingeflort on said strand laying means to cause it to lay a strand ofbinding material about a supported bundle, means interposed temporarilyin the path of said strand at the completion of each strand layingoperation to hold slack in said strand for relieving the strand layingdevice of load at the start of the next binding operation. brake meanson said strand laying means for exerting the maximum load on said strandas the strand laying device approaches its stopping position, and meansto interrupt said driving effort when a point on said strand layingdevice has reached a predetermined position.

13. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle support, a carrier formounting a supply of coiled b nding strand with the coil encircling saidbundle support and in a relatively fixed position on said carrier,strand laying means mounted to revolve about said bundle support to drawstrand from said carrier and lay the strand around a bundle, frictionalmeans on said strand laying means engaging said carrier to cause thecarrier to rotate with said strand laying means and. to restrain thecarrier yieldingly against relative advance rotation, means for holdingportions of said strand in overlapped position after the strand has beenlaid about a bundle, and means for joining said overlapped portions ofthe strand.

14. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle passage adapted for theconveyance of bundles one after another, a carrier for mounting a supplyof coiled binding strand with the coil encircling said bundle passageand in a relatively fixed position on said carrier, strand laying meansmounted to revolve about said passage to draw strand from said carrierand lay the strand around a bundle in said passage, frictional means onsaid strand laying means engaging said carrier tocause the carrier torotate with said strand laying means and to restrain the carrieryieldingly against relative advance rotation, means for holding portionsof said strand in overlapped position after the strand has been laidabout a bundle, and means for joining said overlapped portions of thestrand.

15. A bundle binding machine comprising a carrier arranged for mountinga supply of coiled binding strand in a relatively fixed positionthereon, a bundle passage arranged to extend through a coil of bindingstrand on said carrier for the conveyance of bundles through said coilone after another, strand laying means mounted to revolve about saidpassage to draw strand from said carrier and lay the strand around abundle in said passage, frictional means interengaging said strandlaying means and carrier to cause the carrier to rotate with said strandlaying means and to restrain the carrier yieldingly against relativeadvance rotation, means for holding free end portions of said strand inoverlapped position after the strand has been laid about a bundle, andmeans for joining said free end portions of the strand.

16. In a bundle binding machine, a rotary ban laying member rotatablealways in the same direction for laying a binding band around a bundle,and a slack holding member extending into the path of said band abovethe bundle at the completion of a band laying operation to hold slack inthe band for starting the next band laying operation under no tensionwithout backing up said band laying member.

1'7. In a bundle binding machine, a rotary band laying member rotatablealways in the same direction for laying a binding band around a bundie,said band laying operation beginning and ending on one side of thebundle and. said band laying member starting and stopping at a positionabove the other side of the bundle, and slack holding member extendinginto the path of said band above the bundle to hold slack in the bandafter one band laying operation for starting the next band layingoperation 18. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle support, arotary coil carrier arranged to mount and secure a coil of binding bandin fixed relative position thereon encircling said bundle support,rotary band laying means mounted for rotation around said bundle supportand arranged to draw said band from said coil, and a irictional elementengaging said carrier with said band laying means.

19. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle support, a rotary ringarranged to mount and secure a spool of binding band in a fixedconcentric position thereon encircling said bundie support, band layingmeans mounted for rotation around bundle support and arranged to drawsaid band from said spool, and a frictional element engaging said ringwith said band laying means.

20. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle support, a rotary ringarranged to mount and secure a coil of binding band in a fixedconcentric position thereon encircling said bundle support, a secondrotary ring encircling said bundle support, a driving belt on saidsecond ring, band laying means on said second ring arranged to draw bandfrom said coil, and a frictional element interengaging said two rings totend to prevent rotation of said first ring faster than said secondring.

21. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle support, a ringarranged to mount and secure a coil of binding band in a fixedconcentric position thereon, a frame having rollers for mounting saidring for rotation encircling said bundle support, a second ring adjacentsaid first ring mounted in rollers on said frame for rotation encirclingsaid bundle support, a driving belt on said second ring, an arm on saidsecond ring extending through said first ring, band laying means on saidarm arranged to draw band from said coil, and a frictional element onsaid arm engaging said first ring to tend to prevent rotation of saidcoil faster than said second ring.

22. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle support, a rotarycarrier for mounting a coil of binding band encircling said bundlesupport, rotary band laying means mounted for rotation around saidbundle support and arranged to draw said band from said coil, 21. motorfor driving said rotary band laying means, a switch operable by saidlaying means to deenergize said motor, and friction means engaging saidcarrier with said band laying means to cause the carrier to rotate withthe band laying means and to restrain the carrier yieldably against rclative advance rotation.

23. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle support, rotary bandlaying means mounted for rotation around a bundle on said support andhaving a rest position above the bundle after the completion of a bandlaying operation, and a slack holding member spaced above the top of thebundle and extending into the path of said band at the completion of aband laying operation as said band laying means approaches said 17 restposition, to hold slack in the band for starting the next band layingoperation.

24. In a bundle binding machine, a bundle support, a rotary band layingmember rotatable always in the same direction about said support forlaying a binding band around a bundle on the support, a verticalabutment plate at one side of said bundle support to engage one side ofa bundle being bound, and a slack holding member above said one side ofthe bundle extending into the path of said band at the completion of aband laying operation to hold slack in the band for starting the nextband laying operation.

25. In a bundle binding machine, a bundle support having a verticalabutment plate to engage one side of a bundle, band laying means mountedfor rotation around a bundle on said support and rotating always in adirection to move away from said abutment plate in passing across thetop of the bundle, said band laying means having a rest position abovethe other side of the bundle for starting and completing a band layingoperation, and a slack holding member positioned above said bundle andextending into the path of said band as the band laying means passesacross the top of the bundle to hold sufficient slack to allow the bandto lay across the top of the bundle without tension when the band isremoved from said slack holding member for a subsequent bindingoperation.

26, In a bundle binding machine, a bundle support having a verticalabutment plate to engage one side of a bundle where a binding operationis to be started and completed, band laying means mounted for rotationaround a bundle on said support and rotatable always in the samedirection to pass under said support toward said abutment plate thenupwardly past said abutment plate and across the top of the bundle to arest position above the bundle at the side opposite said abutment plate,and a slack holding member extending into the path of said band abovesaid one side of the bundle to engage said band at the completion of aband laying operation and hold slack in the band for starting the nextband laying operation.

27. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle support having avertical abutment plate to engage one side of a bundle on which abinding operation is to be started and completed, a carrier for a coilof bundle binding band mounted for rotation encircling a bundle on saidsupport, a band laying member mounted for rotation around the bundle andarranged to draw said band from said carrier and lay it about the bundlerotating in a direction to pass under said support toward said abutmentplate then upwardly past said abutment plate and across the top of thebundle, and a slack holding mem- 18 ber above said one side of thebundle extending into the path of said band at the completion of a bandlaying operation to hold slack in the band for starting the next bandlaying operation.

28. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle support, a rotarycarrier for a coil of binding band encircling said bundle support,rotary band laying means mounted for rotation around said bundle supportand arranged to draw band from said coil, frictional means engaging saidcarrier with said band laying means to cause said carrier to rotate withthe band laying means and to restrain the carrier yieldingly againstrelative advance rotation, and a slack holding member extending into thepath of said band at the completion of a band laying operation to holdslack in the band for starting the next band laying operation.

29. A bundle binding machine comprising a bundle support, a rotarycarrier for a coil of binding band encircling said bundle support,rotary band laying means mounted for rotation around said bundle supportand arranged to draw said band from said coil, a motor for driving saidband laying means, a switch operable by said band laying means after onerevolution to deenergize said motor, frictional means engaging saidcarrier with said band laying means to cause the carrier to rotate withthe band laying means and to restrain the carrier yieldingly againstrelative advance rotation, and a slack holding member extending into thepath of said band at the completion of a band laying operation when saidmotor is deenergized to hold slack in the band for starting the nextband laying operation.

ALBERT EDWARD CRANSTON. ROYAL JAMES CRANSTON. ALBERT EARL CRANSTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,152,670 Thompson Sept. 7, 19151,513,994 Hugo Nov. 4, 1924 1,632,884 Carter June 21, 1927 2,110,439Gordon Mar. 8, 1938 2,223,164 Childress Nov. 26, 1940 2,288,088 HarveyJune 30, 1942 2,330,629 Schmidt Sept. 28, 1943 2,339,395 Harvey Jan. 18,1944 2,367,168 Cheesman Jan. 9, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date452,622 Great Britain Aug. 26, 1936

